The next 10-14 days are the critical ones. If she is stressed at all from this point on, she may spit the eggs early. If the eggs are not fully formed it is extremely hard to keep them alive unless you make a DIY egg tumbler (which is essential if she does spit them early).

Keep us posted but will mention again do not be too disheartened if the first batch does not make it, it happens quite a bit and as I say this is the critical period now.

Well the good thing is I have a new Kenyi and he is low one on the todem pole. He is kinda looked as if he hadnt been fed in months or atleast there at walmart. he is already looking ten times better since i got him and since all the others are picking on him the holding female is being ignored. all my cichlids are slightly differant sizes and there is a well established pecking order so aggressive behaviour has been lite.

Well I have four Kenyi's this one is just the latest. My Yellow male remains boss of the tank. I have had a kenyi for four months and she is one of the more easy going and keeps the other kenyis in line. I also have what I think are four Jalo Reef Afras as well. Yellows I have six.

the reason I chose this route is mom cichlid is less than two inches or right at. she has burned off all her fat reserve just to get this far. i think if i alloud her to continue she would have been so weak she would have died. being her first try all the fry didnt stand much of a chance. I stripped thirteen in all. all are fully developed and free swimming at seventeen days age.